Editor's note: The below post is guest authored by the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Each year on June 5, World Environment Day is celebrated by thousands of communities worldwide. It is the single largest celebration of our environment and there’s no better time for Canada to host than on the eve of our 150th birthday.

Being the official host of this global event coupled with plans to ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as soon as possible sends a clear message that Canada is fully behind global action to tackle the biggest environmental challenges of our time.

From L to R: The Honourable Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canada will use World Environment Day to showcase the beauty of its natural environment on land and water. This year’s theme is 'Connecting People to Nature’ and one of the great ways of doing this is through Street View.

The Honourable Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna

I’m happy that Canada, which has been demonstrating an emphatic commitment to environmental issues, will host World Environment Day 2017. As global host, it is an opportunity for Canada to further demonstrate this commitment and expand its leadership on the international stage.